Monday 6 pm

This class is designed for beginning jazz guitarists, advanced beginners, and players versed in other styles who want to make the transition to jazz. Students will focus on the simple chord shapes and rhythms that create a jazz sound, as well as chord voicings, comping rhythms, and guide tones.

This intermediate to advanced ensemble is open to all instrumentalists. Students will cover more advanced concepts of literature, including intros, endings, styles, tempos and comping. The ensemble will perform at the end of the six-week session.

Study and perform over 24 famous Johnny Mercer compositions, among the most popular hits of the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, including "Hit the Road to Dreamland," "Charade," "Emily," and "P.S. I Love You." In this class, you'll focus on melody, phrasing, lyric content, stylistic considerations, arrangements, performance techniques, and song forms that apply to Mercer's music. Part 2 or 2. At the end of the 12-week session, you will perform with an instrumental trio.
Suggested Prerequisite: Introduction to Jazz Singing

Monday 8 pm

This intermediate to advanced ensemble is open to all instrumentalists. Students will cover more advanced concepts of literature, including intros, endings, styles, tempos and comping. The ensemble will perform at the end of the six-week session.

This intermediate to advanced ensemble is open to all instrumentalists. Students will cover more advanced concepts of literature, including intros, endings, styles, tempos and comping. The ensemble will perform at the end of the six-week session.

Study and perform the songs of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, whose award-winning songs include "The Windmills of Your Mind," " What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life," "Nice 'n' Easy," "The Summer Knows," and the score for "Yentl." In this class, you'll focus on melody, phrasing, lyric content, stylistic considerations, arrangements, performance techniques, and song forms that apply to the Bergmans' music. At the end of the 12-week session, you will perform with an instrumental trio.
Suggested Prerequisite: Five Great American Songbook literature classes and Chart Writing

Tuesday 12 pm

Study and perform over 24 famous Johnny Mercer compositions, among the most popular hits of the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, including "Laura," "Midnight Sun," "Autumn Leaves," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "Moon River." In this class, you'll focus on melody, phrasing, lyric content, stylistic considerations, arrangements, performance techniques, and song forms that apply to Mercer's music. Part 1 or 2. At the end of the 12-week session, you will perform with an instrumental trio.
Suggested Prerequisite: Introduction to Jazz Singing

Tuesday 2 pm

This is an essential class for the intermediate to advanced vocalist or instrumentalist. With a drummer as the only accompanist, the student will gain a deeper sense of rhythmic timing which is the core of swing. In addition, students will have the opportunity to sit behind the drumset, learning swing patterns that will help them understand the essence of “Getting in the Pocket.”

Tuesday 6 pm

As an introduction to the blues for the musician, this class is a blend of patterns, ear training, analysis and technique. Students will learn various ways to improvise over standard changes and substitutions, including a look at Minor blues.

Further develop performance techniques with this introduction to a larger and more selective repertoire of songs. In this class, students will learn stage performance skills by building relationships with their audience and creating and delivering appropriate patter to set up a tune. Students will be accompanied by a trio, giving them the chance to explore new arrangements of their songs. Each student will learn five songs, selecting three to perform as a mini set at the end of the 12 weeks.
Suggested Prerequisites: Beginning Vocal Performance, Introduction to Jazz Singing

Tuesday 8 pm

This class is for vocalists who are ready to look beyond the standard fare to discover songs that make a cabaret show truly unique. Students will work on a new song each week, exploring a variety of styles, genres and formats, including learning tools for crafting meaningful medleys, unique song interpretations, and witty parodies. At the end of the session, vocalists will perform a short four-song cabaret set.
Suggested Prerequisite: Introduction to Jazz Singing, Beginning Vocal Performance or permission of instructor.

Wednesday 6 pm

This intermediate to advanced ensemble is open to all instrumentalists. Students will cover more advanced concepts of literature, including intros, endings, styles, tempos and comping. The ensemble will perform at the end of the six-week session.

Study and perform over 24 famous Johnny Mercer compositions, among the most popular hits of the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, including "Hit the Road to Dreamland," "Charade," "Emily," and "P.S. I Love You." In this class, you'll focus on melody, phrasing, lyric content, stylistic considerations, arrangements, performance techniques, and song forms that apply to Mercer's music. Part 2 or 2. At the end of the 12-week session, you will perform with an instrumental trio.
Suggested Prerequisite: Introduction to Jazz Singing

Jazz singing offers the opportunity to learn contemporary singing techniques in a healthy and fun way. This class will help keep the student's voice in great shape with vocal exercises designed to promote ease of singing and to set the natural voice free. Students will learn some vocal physiology and anatomy, expand their range, and explore conversational singing through jazz. Unlock the secrets of singing through playful exercises, a bit of voice science, and jazz. Students sing with jazz tracks, and must purchase Hal Leonard's Jazz Tracks for Singers (male or female), book of 15 tunes and CD. Available at www.jazzbooks.com or www.halleonard.com

This class is for all musicians - singers, instrumentalists, and writers alike. The course will focus on releasing the blocks that stand in the way of feeling freedom, ease, and joy in making music, as well as building skills for more effective practice and ultimately, a more effortless experience of music making. Through group discussion, journaling, lyric writing, and mindful practicing, the class will discover how the masters approach their instruments and music. The course will utilize exercises from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner, and The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten. The book Effortless Mastery is the required text for the class and can be purchased at www.jazzbooks.com

Registration & Payment

Talk with one of the Directors (Lori Mechem or Roger Spencer) about your choice of classes to make sure it's the right level and sequence for you, and to make sure the class is still available. Telephone (615-242-5299) is usually the best way to do this.

After you've confirmed that the class is available, a $100 advance deposit is required to hold your spot. Deposit is refundable up to 72 hours before the first day of the class session. You can mail or bring a check, or pay this by credit card over the phone or in person.

The balance is due the first day of class. You may pay in installments, by prior arrangement with Lori or Roger. There is no refund or discount for classes missed.

Cancellation and Payment Policy

Each 6 week session is $250.00.

A $100.00 deposit is required to confirm class registration. Deposit is refundable up until 72 hours before the first day of the session.

Arrangements can be made to pay for classes in three installments. There is no discount or refund for classes missed.